Measuring Media Bias: A Content Analysis of Time and Newsweek Coverage of Domestic Social Issues, 1975–2000^*

Abstract

Objective. This study is an effort to produce a more systematic, empirically-based, historical-comparative understanding of media bias than generally is found in previous works. Methods. The research employs a quantitative measure of ideological bias in a formal content analysis of the United States' two largest circulation news magazines, Time and Newsweek. Findings are compared with the results of an identical examination of two of the nation's leading partisan journals, the conservative National Review and the liberal Progressive. Results. Bias scores reveal stark differences between the mainstream and the partisan news magazines' coverage of four issue areas: crime, the environment, gender, and poverty. Conclusion. Data provide little support for those claiming significant media bias in either ideological direction.

‘Selling by drugs’: Content analysis of the coverage of illicit drugs in different news media types and formats

“…This approach has been supported by literature showing similarities between different media types and formats, induced either by intermedia agenda-setting, where the dominant media form the coverage, or by a limited number of media sources (Danielian & Stehen, 1989;Pellechia, 1997;Picard, 2001;Shaw & Sparrow, 1999). On the other hand, the heterogeneity of media contents has been mentioned repeatedly, claiming the traditional approach as a weakness of media research (Covert & Wasburn, 2007;McGregor, Comrie, & Fountaine, 1999;Shaw & Sparrow, 1999;Valkendurg & Semetko, 2000).…”

“…In the 20th century, it was rather replaced by popular tabloids, despite the fact that in bi-partisan democracies such as the USA or UK, major daily newspapers still support one of the main parties, while in other places in the world the partisan press remains supporter of the social democrats or communists. The partisan press uses a higher rate of politicians acting as sources of information, and different coverage of social problems can thus be found (Belackova, 2008a;Covert & Wasburn, 2007).…”

Is There a Political Bias? A Computational Analysis of Female Subjects' Coverage in Liberal and Conservative Newspapers

“…In a more recent study, Adkins Covert and Wasburn (2007) compared the coverage of four outlets: two "centrist" magazines (Time and Newsweek), one leading conservative journal (National Review), and one leading liberal journal (The Progressive). Somewhat surprisingly, the authors found that the conservative National Review was much more likely to cover "gender" issues, defined as public policies concerning women, media representations of women, feminism, and the women's movement, than the liberal Progressive (that said, one should also note that the type of coverage differed greatly between the two outlets).…”

Precision of Information, Sensational Information, and Self‐Efficacy Information as Message‐Level Variables Affecting Risk Perceptions

“…(40) Similarly, sensational information may serve to enhance message effectiveness for high sensation seekers in health communication (41,42) and may serve to activate deeper processing if affect is generated. (27,29) However, recent studies have suggested a lessening of the prevalence of sensational information, (43,44) which draws into question its influence based on frequency alone.…”